Long Island Teens Earn Prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award

Girl Scouts of Nassau County recently celebrated 48 local Girl Scouts who are members of the 2025 Girl Scout Gold Award class who earned the highest award in Girl Scouting, the Gold Award. Through the quest to earn the Gold Award, Girl Scouts become innovative problem-solvers, empathetic leaders, confident public speakers, and focused project managers. They learn resourcefulness, tenacity, and decision-making skills, giving them an edge personally and professionally. As they take action to transform their communities, Gold Award Girl Scouts gain tangible skills and prove they’re the leaders our world needs. The 2025 Gold Award Girl Scout class identified issues in their communities, took action, and found or created sustainable solutions to earn their Gold Awards, addressing real-life problems such as environmental sustainability, mental and physical well-being, and gender inequality in STEM.

“These Gold Award Girl Scouts are changing the world today—their ingenuity enables them to meaningfully address some of the most pressing issues facing their communities and the world. We are proud of each of them for achieving their goals and creating a lasting community impact,” said Rande Bynum, CEO of Girl Scouts of Nassau County. “Their undeniable commitment and efforts addressing critical issues have positively affected countless lives. We sincerely applaud each of them for their contributions and time given toward their meaningful projects.”

Girls in grades 9-12 begin their respective journeys by identifying a civic or social issue that holds significance to them. Afterwards, the Girl Scout creates a support team with the mission to create a positive impact within her community. Gold Award projects are created with the intention of continuing after the scouts earn their award with initiatives to produce lasting change. Throughout the process, the Gold Award Girl Scouts become confident in the areas of leadership, problem solving, and public speaking while growing attributes of resourcefulness, tenacity, and empathy. While transforming their communities, Gold Award Girl Scouts gain real-life skills and become leaders for the future.

According to recent research, Gold Award Girl Scouts are more likely to fill leadership roles at work and in their personal lives and are more civically engaged than their non-Girl Scout peers. Eighty-seven percent (87%) of Gold Award Girl Scouts agree that earning their Gold Award gave them skills that help them succeed professionally. Seventy-two percent (72%) said earning their Gold Award helped them get a scholarship. Changing the world doesn’t end when a Girl Scout earns her Gold Award. Ninety-nine percent (99%) of Gold Award Girl Scout alums take on leadership roles in their everyday lives

Gold Award Girl Scouts make positive impacts on our local communities by addressing some of our most pressing issues. Topics this year ranged from equine-assisted therapy, mental health, environmental rebuilding, body positivity, and STEM. Naomi C.’s Bay Walk Pollinator Garden helped transform her own town, Port Washington, into a garden for nature to thrive. Increasing Music Accessibility for Young Students by Samantha F. from the Seaford/Wantagh Service Unit focused on tutoring students throughout the district to prepare for music events. Grace P., from the Bellmore Service Unit, created lessons focusing on building healthy habits and her materials from Curriculum for the Breakfast Club were given to the district leadership for future implementation. In total, the prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award was completed by 48 girls throughout the 24 Nassau County communities.

Amityville Harbor:

Angelina B., Getting in Touch with Sensory Processing Dysfunction: Including the Excluded

Bellmore/North Bellmore:

Claire A., Pen Pal Program

Holly D., Helping Students Calm Anxiety

Grace H., Fire-Safe Kids

Grace P., Curriculum for the Breakfast Club

Christinia F., Every Minute Counts

Cold Spring Harbor:

Katherine I., Blended Bar

East Norwich:

Khadeejah M., Fire Prevention and Juniors Recruitment Day

Farmingdale:

Sarah G., Hydroponics

Abigail M., Know 2 Numbers

Audrey M., Safe Sips Posters

Floral Park:

Sonia C., The Power of No

Chloé I., Love Your Lines

Samantha N., Teenage Suicide Awareness

Caroline T., Spreading Awareness of the Deaf Community

Chloe Z., SunKissed

Garden City:

Sarah T., Upside of the Outside: Helping Girls See the Fun in the Outdoors

Glen Head:

Sophia T., SHINE (Spreading Health Information on Endometriosis)

Locust Valley

Gianna W., Beneficial Bat Boxes

Long Beach:

Grace E., Kimmy’s Kitchen

Lynbrook:

Brooke B., Promoted Awareness of Equine-Assisted Therapy

Manhasset:

Liliana A., A Horse of a Different Color

Alexandra B., Protect and Connect: Safe Internet Practices for Kids and Parents

Nicole M., Manhasset Bay Oyster Restoration Project

Chloe P., Benefits of Music Education

Kristina T., STEM for all!

Naomi C., Bay Walk Pollinator Garden

Massapequa:

Amanda P., STEM For All

Merrick:

Ella K., Pure Planting

Oceanside:

Amrece R., Signing for Change: Spreading ASL Awareness and Empowering Inclusion

Katie S., Theatre Rally: Introducing Young Kids to the Treasure of Theatre

Oyster Bay:

Robyn G., Elementary School Marine Life Awareness

Jane G., Girls In Science Research

Rockville Center:

Amelia C., Shelters for Satos

Kathryn H., She Can Code

Amy T., A Date With Your Diet

Natalia S., Regents Resource Hub: Empowering Students for Academic Success

Seaford:

Samantha F., Increasing Music Accessibility for Young Students

Syosset:

Audrey C., Paws For a Cause

Sanam M., Syosset Community Tennis Clinic

Aanika S., Fiber Arts for Mental Health

Valley Stream Service Unit:

Stella F., Operation Garden Beautification

Williston Park:

Celine Y., Why Sports?

Girls in grades K-12 can begin their Girl Scout journey at any age. As girls grow with Girl Scouts, they learn hands-on leadership skills they’ll use to make their mark through the Gold Award and beyond. To join or volunteer, visit www.gsnc.org/join.